diff --git a/changelog/3931.other.md b/changelog/3931.other.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a1ebef414
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/3931.other.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Updated foundational examples and eval scripts to use `"user"` role instead of `"system"` when adding messages to `LLMContext`, since system prompts should be set via `system_instruction` on the LLM service.
diff --git a/examples/foundational/02-llm-say-one-thing.py b/examples/foundational/02-llm-say-one-thing.py
index 988ff634f..f59a2216d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/02-llm-say-one-thing.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/02-llm-say-one-thing.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         context = LLMContext()
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Say hello to the world."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Say hello to the world."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMContextFrame(context), EndFrame()])
 
     runner = PipelineRunner(handle_sigint=runner_args.handle_sigint)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/04-transports-small-webrtc.py b/examples/foundational/04-transports-small-webrtc.py
index a26fdf5c0..d8b6422db 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/04-transports-small-webrtc.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/04-transports-small-webrtc.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def run_example(webrtc_connection: SmallWebRTCConnection):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/04a-transports-daily.py b/examples/foundational/04a-transports-daily.py
index 15b5e20e2..aaf8a3f0f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/04a-transports-daily.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/04a-transports-daily.py
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ async def main():
             await transport.capture_participant_transcription(participant["id"])
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/05-sync-speech-and-image.py b/examples/foundational/05-sync-speech-and-image.py
index b77ff1612..276d3a14a 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/05-sync-speech-and-image.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/05-sync-speech-and-image.py
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         ]:
             messages = [
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": f"Describe a nature photograph suitable for use in a calendar, for the month of {month}. Include only the image description with no preamble. Limit the description to one sentence, please.",
                 }
             ]
diff --git a/examples/foundational/05a-local-sync-speech-and-image.py b/examples/foundational/05a-local-sync-speech-and-image.py
index 993e8eb07..b06a2a8b0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/05a-local-sync-speech-and-image.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/05a-local-sync-speech-and-image.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ async def main():
         async def get_month_data(month):
             messages = [
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": f"Describe a nature photograph suitable for use in a calendar, for the month of {month}. Include only the image description with no preamble. Limit the description to one sentence, please.",
                 }
             ]
diff --git a/examples/foundational/06-listen-and-respond.py b/examples/foundational/06-listen-and-respond.py
index 1e2f88a93..d2daff3fb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/06-listen-and-respond.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/06-listen-and-respond.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07-interruptible-cartesia-http.py b/examples/foundational/07-interruptible-cartesia-http.py
index ac409f55d..56a06f2e9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07-interruptible-cartesia-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07-interruptible-cartesia-http.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07-interruptible.py b/examples/foundational/07-interruptible.py
index 05a751a68..cf9c5af96 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07-interruptible.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07-interruptible.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics-vad.py b/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics-vad.py
index a6a287f83..2ede06e4f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics-vad.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics-vad.py
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
-            context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Say a short hello to the user."})
+            context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Say a short hello to the user."})
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics.py b/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics.py
index d4e4dc638..bee3410e3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07a-interruptible-speechmatics.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
-            context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Say a short hello to the user."})
+            context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Say a short hello to the user."})
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-flux.py b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-flux.py
index c205c5141..a356a81cc 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-flux.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-flux.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-http.py b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-http.py
index b4d829e96..fa8b6712c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-http.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-vad.py b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-vad.py
index 4af1b0c72..7a0ccb441 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-vad.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram-vad.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram.py b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram.py
index 1a10c0b28..521890f68 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07c-interruptible-deepgram.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs-http.py b/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs-http.py
index a7f68a599..279f6c8a2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs-http.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs.py b/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs.py
index ec62eac4d..14e21e851 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07d-interruptible-elevenlabs.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure-http.py b/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure-http.py
index 38b840d6a..407022f75 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure-http.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure.py b/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure.py
index 7dafd8e1e..7e47e1c3e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07f-interruptible-azure.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai-http.py b/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai-http.py
index 2b841be6a..ee0071bcb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai-http.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai.py b/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai.py
index 776feeb17..89d57fa70 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07g-interruptible-openai.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07h-interruptible-openpipe.py b/examples/foundational/07h-interruptible-openpipe.py
index f7cd4d7d9..f744fee4e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07h-interruptible-openpipe.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07h-interruptible-openpipe.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07i-interruptible-xtts.py b/examples/foundational/07i-interruptible-xtts.py
index 76f139cbf..40845fac0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07i-interruptible-xtts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07i-interruptible-xtts.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia-vad.py b/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia-vad.py
index 3bc0c0404..ca2687d43 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia-vad.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia-vad.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia.py b/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia.py
index 781e20942..42ee1b1cc 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07j-interruptible-gladia.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07k-interruptible-lmnt.py b/examples/foundational/07k-interruptible-lmnt.py
index cab1bca81..091b72499 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07k-interruptible-lmnt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07k-interruptible-lmnt.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07l-interruptible-groq.py b/examples/foundational/07l-interruptible-groq.py
index 3fe64a460..8d2125546 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07l-interruptible-groq.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07l-interruptible-groq.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini-image.py b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini-image.py
index 072998fa9..96c7cfd47 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini-image.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini-image.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation with a styled introduction
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini.py b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini.py
index a48efefad..a1d58a1cd 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-gemini.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": "You are an AI assistant. You can help with a variety of tasks. Introduce yourself and ask the user what they would like to know.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google-http.py b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google-http.py
index 0a6280618..a607653f7 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google-http.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google.py b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google.py
index d6c57b548..522d168e1 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07n-interruptible-google.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai-turn-detection.py b/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai-turn-detection.py
index b15e3038f..114c6f263 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai-turn-detection.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai-turn-detection.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai.py b/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai.py
index 8e58ddbf3..9b60f3e98 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07o-interruptible-assemblyai.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp-viva.py b/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp-viva.py
index 056a2f6cc..67a29bd89 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp-viva.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp-viva.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp.py b/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp.py
index b3ccfb30e..5b760e768 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07p-interruptible-krisp.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime-http.py b/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime-http.py
index ebbdc6946..8324d546e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime-http.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime.py b/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime.py
index bfcf5da41..5379e9914 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07q-interruptible-rime.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07r-interruptible-nvidia.py b/examples/foundational/07r-interruptible-nvidia.py
index a5a477ba0..70c151f11 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07r-interruptible-nvidia.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07r-interruptible-nvidia.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07s-interruptible-google-audio-in.py b/examples/foundational/07s-interruptible-google-audio-in.py
index d4067b620..31bfbcc35 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07s-interruptible-google-audio-in.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07s-interruptible-google-audio-in.py
@@ -218,11 +218,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
         settings=GoogleLLMSettings(
             model="gemini-2.5-flash",
+            system_instruction=system_message,
+            # force a certain amount of thinking if you want it
+            # thinking=GoogleLLMService.ThinkingConfig(thinking_budget=4096)
         ),
-        # force a certain amount of thinking if you want it
-        # params=GoogleLLMService.InputParams(
-        #     thinking=GoogleLLMService.ThinkingConfig(thinking_budget=4096)
-        # ),
     )
 
     tts = GoogleTTSService(
@@ -234,18 +233,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         credentials=os.getenv("GOOGLE_TEST_CREDENTIALS"),
     )
 
-    messages = [
-        {
-            "role": "system",
-            "content": system_message,
-        },
-        {
-            "role": "user",
-            "content": "Start by saying hello.",
-        },
-    ]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages)
+    context = LLMContext()
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
@@ -281,7 +269,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        messages.append({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07t-interruptible-fish.py b/examples/foundational/07t-interruptible-fish.py
index 4825c3110..e7aeb993b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07t-interruptible-fish.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07t-interruptible-fish.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic-http.py b/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic-http.py
index 5c2934fcd..8ebfe9002 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic-http.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic.py b/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic.py
index d70b187a7..8eee009f3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07v-interruptible-neuphonic.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07w-interruptible-fal.py b/examples/foundational/07w-interruptible-fal.py
index 6539cbfc9..81045df5f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07w-interruptible-fal.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07w-interruptible-fal.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07x-interruptible-local.py b/examples/foundational/07x-interruptible-local.py
index e0eeee03b..0e5107890 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07x-interruptible-local.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07x-interruptible-local.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ async def main():
         ),
     )
 
-    context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+    context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
     await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     runner = PipelineRunner()
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-minimax.py b/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-minimax.py
index 1213291e0..64fe7da06 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-minimax.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-minimax.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam-http.py b/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam-http.py
index 566cea75a..4a0baa65c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam-http.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam.py b/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam.py
index 827ce947f..e366b4d31 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07z-interruptible-sarvam.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         # Optionally, you can wait for 30 seconds and then change the voice.
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07za-interruptible-soniox.py b/examples/foundational/07za-interruptible-soniox.py
index 380033a11..78e3ac873 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07za-interruptible-soniox.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07za-interruptible-soniox.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld-http.py b/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld-http.py
index 1376ab8da..6e57fbb56 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld-http.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info("Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld.py b/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld.py
index 9c9895ca9..0865a4e92 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zb-interruptible-inworld.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info("Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai-http.py b/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai-http.py
index b3f46f671..1fe69c38b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai-http.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai.py b/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai.py
index b95a55ddb..05113cdb9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zc-interruptible-asyncai.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zd-interruptible-aicoustics.py b/examples/foundational/07zd-interruptible-aicoustics.py
index 481e098a2..e8f55e4e0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zd-interruptible-aicoustics.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zd-interruptible-aicoustics.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         await audiobuffer.start_recording()
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @audiobuffer.event_handler("on_audio_data")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07ze-interruptible-hume.py b/examples/foundational/07ze-interruptible-hume.py
index c5c352232..fbe752a7d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07ze-interruptible-hume.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07ze-interruptible-hume.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             "💡 Word timestamps are enabled! Watch the console for TTSTextFrame logs showing each word with its PTS."
         )
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zf-interruptible-gradium.py b/examples/foundational/07zf-interruptible-gradium.py
index acf168f13..41cdcd799 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zf-interruptible-gradium.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zf-interruptible-gradium.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zg-interruptible-camb.py b/examples/foundational/07zg-interruptible-camb.py
index e8d5011e2..20bc8b665 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zg-interruptible-camb.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zg-interruptible-camb.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info("Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zi-interruptible-piper.py b/examples/foundational/07zi-interruptible-piper.py
index 9ac672fc2..f6d9bfeea 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zi-interruptible-piper.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zi-interruptible-piper.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zj-interruptible-kokoro.py b/examples/foundational/07zj-interruptible-kokoro.py
index 66a225d35..da35b5d5c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zj-interruptible-kokoro.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zj-interruptible-kokoro.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07zk-interruptible-resemble.py b/examples/foundational/07zk-interruptible-resemble.py
index 2212fa80f..c186db6be 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07zk-interruptible-resemble.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07zk-interruptible-resemble.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/08-custom-frame-processor.py b/examples/foundational/08-custom-frame-processor.py
index 820659207..507de6d41 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/08-custom-frame-processor.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/08-custom-frame-processor.py
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected: {client}")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/10-wake-phrase.py b/examples/foundational/10-wake-phrase.py
index de237659a..04a1e40b8 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/10-wake-phrase.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/10-wake-phrase.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": "Please introduce yourself. Tell the user they should say 'Hey Robot' before talking to you.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14a-function-calling-anthropic.py b/examples/foundational/14a-function-calling-anthropic.py
index 19bc314b8..efcaba47e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14a-function-calling-anthropic.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14a-function-calling-anthropic.py
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-anthropic-video.py b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-anthropic-video.py
index f1e097902..136a7f110 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-anthropic-video.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-anthropic-video.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-aws-video.py b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-aws-video.py
index 09ceaedd4..358c6f7f0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-aws-video.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-aws-video.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-gemini-flash-video.py b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-gemini-flash-video.py
index a56349f96..b261a8922 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-gemini-flash-video.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-gemini-flash-video.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-moondream-video.py b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-moondream-video.py
index c32bf3549..9de08ce05 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-moondream-video.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-moondream-video.py
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-openai-video.py b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-openai-video.py
index 5bfa336aa..8c6416617 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-openai-video.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14d-function-calling-openai-video.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/14i-function-calling-fireworks.py b/examples/foundational/14i-function-calling-fireworks.py
index aad4b6ecf..23d971324 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/14i-function-calling-fireworks.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/14i-function-calling-fireworks.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/15-switch-voices.py b/examples/foundational/15-switch-voices.py
index c298aaf0f..40f2202de 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/15-switch-voices.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/15-switch-voices.py
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user and let them know the voices you can do. Your initial responses should be as if you were a {tts.current_voice}.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/15a-switch-languages.py b/examples/foundational/15a-switch-languages.py
index c19038ea2..c514d9a5d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/15a-switch-languages.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/15a-switch-languages.py
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation.
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user and let them know the languages you speak. Your initial responses should be in {tts.current_language}.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/16-gpu-container-local-bot.py b/examples/foundational/16-gpu-container-local-bot.py
index 103b5216f..c1d267df3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/16-gpu-container-local-bot.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/16-gpu-container-local-bot.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     # Handle "latency-ping" messages. The client will send app messages that look like
diff --git a/examples/foundational/17-detect-user-idle.py b/examples/foundational/17-detect-user-idle.py
index ecb7ceea1..90434c77b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/17-detect-user-idle.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/17-detect-user-idle.py
@@ -60,14 +60,14 @@ class IdleHandler:
         if self._retry_count == 1:
             # First attempt: Add a gentle prompt to the conversation
             message = {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": "The user has been quiet. Politely and briefly ask if they're still there.",
             }
             await aggregator.push_frame(LLMMessagesAppendFrame([message], run_llm=True))
         elif self._retry_count == 2:
             # Second attempt: More direct prompt
             message = {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": "The user is still inactive. Ask if they'd like to continue our conversation.",
             }
             await aggregator.push_frame(LLMMessagesAppendFrame([message], run_llm=True))
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
         await asyncio.sleep(30)
         logger.info(f"Disabling idle detection")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/20a-persistent-context-openai.py b/examples/foundational/20a-persistent-context-openai.py
index acdcefb92..691893336 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/20a-persistent-context-openai.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/20a-persistent-context-openai.py
@@ -95,12 +95,7 @@ async def load_conversation(params: FunctionCallParams):
         await params.result_callback({"success": False, "error": str(e)})
 
 
-messages = [
-    {
-        "role": "system",
-        "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
-    },
-]
+system_instruction = "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way."
 
 weather_function = FunctionSchema(
     name="get_current_weather",
@@ -185,7 +180,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         ),
     )
 
-    llm = OpenAILLMService(api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
+    llm = OpenAILLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"),
+        system_instruction=system_instruction,
+    )
 
     # you can either register a single function for all function calls, or specific functions
     # llm.register_function(None, fetch_weather_from_api)
@@ -194,7 +192,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     llm.register_function("get_saved_conversation_filenames", get_saved_conversation_filenames)
     llm.register_function("load_conversation", load_conversation)
 
-    context = LLMContext(messages, tools)
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
diff --git a/examples/foundational/20b-persistent-context-openai-realtime-beta.py b/examples/foundational/20b-persistent-context-openai-realtime-beta.py
index cb4ffa642..fa59e1674 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/20b-persistent-context-openai-realtime-beta.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/20b-persistent-context-openai-realtime-beta.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ from pipecat.services.openai_realtime_beta import (
     SessionProperties,
     TurnDetection,
 )
-from pipecat.services.openai_realtime_beta.events import AudioConfiguration, AudioInput
 from pipecat.transports.base_transport import BaseTransport, TransportParams
 from pipecat.transports.daily.transport import DailyParams
 from pipecat.transports.websocket.fastapi import FastAPIWebsocketParams
@@ -182,16 +181,12 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     stt = DeepgramSTTService(api_key=os.getenv("DEEPGRAM_API_KEY"))
 
     session_properties = SessionProperties(
-        audio=AudioConfiguration(
-            input=AudioInput(
-                transcription=InputAudioTranscription(),
-                # Set openai TurnDetection parameters. Not setting this at all will turn it
-                # on by default
-                turn_detection=TurnDetection(silence_duration_ms=1000),
-                # Or set to False to disable openai turn detection and use transport VAD
-                # turn_detection=False,
-            )
-        ),
+        input_audio_transcription=InputAudioTranscription(),
+        # Set openai TurnDetection parameters. Not setting this at all will turn
+        # it on by default
+        turn_detection=TurnDetection(silence_duration_ms=1000),
+        # Or set to False to disable openai turn detection and use transport VAD
+        # turn_detection=False,
         # tools=tools,
         instructions="""Your knowledge cutoff is 2023-10. You are a helpful and friendly AI.
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/20c-persistent-context-anthropic.py b/examples/foundational/20c-persistent-context-anthropic.py
index 5f2a3f317..78ab3a7bc 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/20c-persistent-context-anthropic.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/20c-persistent-context-anthropic.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from pipecat.processors.aggregators.llm_response_universal import (
 )
 from pipecat.runner.types import RunnerArguments
 from pipecat.runner.utils import create_transport
-from pipecat.services.anthropic.llm import AnthropicLLMService
+from pipecat.services.anthropic.llm import AnthropicLLMService, AnthropicLLMSettings
 from pipecat.services.cartesia.tts import CartesiaTTSService, CartesiaTTSSettings
 from pipecat.services.deepgram.stt import DeepgramSTTService
 from pipecat.services.llm_service import FunctionCallParams
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ load_dotenv(override=True)
 
 
 BASE_FILENAME = "/tmp/pipecat_conversation_"
-tts = None
 
 
 async def fetch_weather_from_api(params: FunctionCallParams):
@@ -82,7 +81,6 @@ async def save_conversation(params: FunctionCallParams):
 
 
 async def load_conversation(params: FunctionCallParams):
-    global tts
     filename = params.arguments["filename"]
     logger.debug(f"loading conversation from {filename}")
     try:
@@ -96,18 +94,7 @@ async def load_conversation(params: FunctionCallParams):
         await params.result_callback({"success": False, "error": str(e)})
 
 
-# Test message munging ...
-messages = [
-    {
-        "role": "system",
-        "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a succinct, creative and helpful way. Prefer responses that are one sentence long unless you are asked for a longer or more detailed response.",
-    },
-    {"role": "user", "content": "Start the call by saying the word 'hello'. Say only that word."},
-    # {"role": "user", "content": ""},
-    # {"role": "assistant", "content": []},
-    # {"role": "user", "content": "Tell me"},
-    # {"role": "user", "content": "a joke"},
-]
+system_instruction = "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a succinct, creative and helpful way. Prefer responses that are one sentence long unless you are asked for a longer or more detailed response."
 
 weather_function = FunctionSchema(
     name="get_current_weather",
@@ -183,8 +170,6 @@ transport_params = {
 async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     logger.info(f"Starting bot")
 
-    global tts
-
     stt = DeepgramSTTService(api_key=os.getenv("DEEPGRAM_API_KEY"))
 
     tts = CartesiaTTSService(
@@ -194,7 +179,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         ),
     )
 
-    llm = AnthropicLLMService(api_key=os.getenv("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"))
+    llm = AnthropicLLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"),
+        settings=AnthropicLLMSettings(system_instruction=system_instruction),
+    )
 
     # you can either register a single function for all function calls, or specific functions
     # llm.register_function(None, fetch_weather_from_api)
@@ -203,7 +191,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     llm.register_function("get_saved_conversation_filenames", get_saved_conversation_filenames)
     llm.register_function("load_conversation", load_conversation)
 
-    context = LLMContext(messages, tools)
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
@@ -234,6 +222,12 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
+        context.add_message(
+            {
+                "role": "user",
+                "content": "Start the call by saying the word 'hello'. Say only that word.",
+            }
+        )
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/20d-persistent-context-gemini.py b/examples/foundational/20d-persistent-context-gemini.py
index ca5186532..082e5f07f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/20d-persistent-context-gemini.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/20d-persistent-context-gemini.py
@@ -122,11 +122,7 @@ async def load_conversation(params: FunctionCallParams):
         await params.result_callback({"success": False, "error": str(e)})
 
 
-# Test message munging ...
-messages = [
-    {
-        "role": "system",
-        "content": """You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your
+system_instruction = """You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your
 capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that
 can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative
 and helpful way.
@@ -151,13 +147,7 @@ indicate you should use the get_image tool are:
   - Tell me about what you see.
   - Tell me something interesting about what you see.
   - What's happening in the video?
-        """,
-    },
-    # {"role": "user", "content": ""},
-    # {"role": "assistant", "content": []},
-    # {"role": "user", "content": "Tell me"},
-    # {"role": "user", "content": "a joke"},
-]
+"""
 
 weather_function = FunctionSchema(
     name="get_current_weather",
@@ -262,7 +252,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         ),
     )
 
-    llm = GoogleLLMService(api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"))
+    llm = GoogleLLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
+        system_instruction=system_instruction,
+    )
 
     # you can either register a single function for all function calls, or specific functions
     # llm.register_function(None, fetch_weather_from_api)
@@ -272,7 +265,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     llm.register_function("load_conversation", load_conversation)
     llm.register_function("get_image", get_image)
 
-    context = LLMContext(messages, tools)
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
@@ -308,9 +301,9 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         client_id = get_transport_client_id(transport, client)
 
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        messages.append(
+        context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": f"Please introduce yourself to the user. Use '{client_id}' as the user ID during function calls.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/20e-persistent-context-aws-nova-sonic.py b/examples/foundational/20e-persistent-context-aws-nova-sonic.py
index 7efa2678c..16e00d4c2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/20e-persistent-context-aws-nova-sonic.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/20e-persistent-context-aws-nova-sonic.py
@@ -235,12 +235,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     llm.register_function("get_saved_conversation_filenames", get_saved_conversation_filenames)
     llm.register_function("load_conversation", load_conversation)
 
-    context = LLMContext(
-        messages=[
-            {"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"},
-        ],
-        tools=tools,
-    )
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(context)
 
     pipeline = Pipeline(
@@ -266,6 +261,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
         # HACK: if using the older Nova Sonic (pre-2) model, you need this special way of
         # triggering the first assistant response. Note that this trigger requires a special
diff --git a/examples/foundational/21-tavus-transport.py b/examples/foundational/21-tavus-transport.py
index 7936a4555..2da83463d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/21-tavus-transport.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/21-tavus-transport.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def main():
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": "Start by greeting the user and ask how you can help.",
                 }
             )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py b/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py
index fd2ff5880..0b26961c2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": "Start by greeting the user and ask how you can help.",
                 }
             )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/23-bot-background-sound.py b/examples/foundational/23-bot-background-sound.py
index ad82ab8c3..53544fdf6 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/23-bot-background-sound.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/23-bot-background-sound.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         logger.info(f"Re-enabling background sound and starting bot...")
         await task.queue_frame(MixerEnableFrame(True))
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/24-user-mute-strategy.py b/examples/foundational/24-user-mute-strategy.py
index ab206de73..fac86dae4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/24-user-mute-strategy.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/24-user-mute-strategy.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         # Kick off the conversation with a weather-related prompt
         context.add_message(
             {
-                "role": "system",
+                "role": "user",
                 "content": "Ask the user what city they'd like to know the weather for.",
             }
         )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/26b-gemini-live-function-calling.py b/examples/foundational/26b-gemini-live-function-calling.py
index 7aea43036..0ffceecd1 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/26b-gemini-live-function-calling.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/26b-gemini-live-function-calling.py
@@ -131,13 +131,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     # than as arguments to GeminiLiveLLMService, but note that doing so will
     # trigger a (fast) reconnection when the GeminiLiveLLMService first
     # receives the context (i.e. when we send the LLMRunFrame below).
-    context = LLMContext(
-        [
-            # {"role": "system", "content": system_instruction},
-            {"role": "user", "content": "Say hello."},
-        ],
-        # tools,
-    )
+    context = LLMContext()
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(
@@ -172,6 +166,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/28-user-assistant-turns.py b/examples/foundational/28-user-assistant-turns.py
index 2a7cce980..6ff7ca9ec 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/28-user-assistant-turns.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/28-user-assistant-turns.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Start conversation - empty prompt to let LLM follow system instructions
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/29-turn-tracking-observer.py b/examples/foundational/29-turn-tracking-observer.py
index d83442456..a73126936 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/29-turn-tracking-observer.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/29-turn-tracking-observer.py
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/30-observer.py b/examples/foundational/30-observer.py
index c730a2993..28a76059d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/30-observer.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/30-observer.py
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/33-gemini-rag.py b/examples/foundational/33-gemini-rag.py
index 3b1ba6bb9..cadb3fd92 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/33-gemini-rag.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/33-gemini-rag.py
@@ -197,11 +197,11 @@ Your response will be turned into speech so use only simple words and punctuatio
 """
 
     llm = GoogleLLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
         settings=GoogleLLMSettings(
             model=VOICE_MODEL,
             system_instruction=system_prompt,
         ),
-        api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
     )
     llm.register_function("query_knowledge_base", query_knowledge_base)
 
@@ -218,11 +218,7 @@ Your response will be turned into speech so use only simple words and punctuatio
     )
     tools = ToolsSchema(standard_tools=[query_function])
 
-    messages = [
-        {"role": "user", "content": "Greet the user."},
-    ]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages, tools)
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
@@ -252,6 +248,7 @@ Your response will be turned into speech so use only simple words and punctuatio
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Start conversation - empty prompt to let LLM follow system instructions
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/38-smart-turn-fal.py b/examples/foundational/38-smart-turn-fal.py
index 2eafe6297..6ecc444f9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/38-smart-turn-fal.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/38-smart-turn-fal.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/38a-smart-turn-local-coreml.py b/examples/foundational/38a-smart-turn-local-coreml.py
index 4ed17642b..32cd507b8 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/38a-smart-turn-local-coreml.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/38a-smart-turn-local-coreml.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/38b-smart-turn-local.py b/examples/foundational/38b-smart-turn-local.py
index 361889a5b..30849a71d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/38b-smart-turn-local.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/38b-smart-turn-local.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/39-mcp-stdio.py b/examples/foundational/39-mcp-stdio.py
index 7e648cfd7..b6f111044 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/39-mcp-stdio.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/39-mcp-stdio.py
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             ),
         )
 
-        system = f"""
+        system_prompt = f"""
         You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call.
         Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way.
         You have access to tools to search the Rijksmuseum collection.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         llm = AnthropicLLMService(
             api_key=os.getenv("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"),
             settings=AnthropicLLMSettings(
-                system_instruction=system,
+                system_instruction=system_prompt,
             ),
         )
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/39a-mcp-streamable-http.py b/examples/foundational/39a-mcp-streamable-http.py
index 870556073..38f52ff1c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/39a-mcp-streamable-http.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/39a-mcp-streamable-http.py
@@ -63,7 +63,19 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         ),
     )
 
-    llm = GoogleLLMService(api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"), model="gemini-2.0-flash")
+    system_prompt = f"""
+    You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call.
+    Your goal is to answer questions about the user's GitHub repositories and account.
+    You have access to a number of tools provided by Github. Use any and all tools to help users.
+    Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points.
+    Don't overexplain what you are doing.
+    Just respond with short sentences when you are carrying out tool calls.
+    """
+
+    llm = GoogleLLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
+        system_instruction=system_prompt,
+    )
 
     try:
         # Github MCP docs: https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server
@@ -87,18 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         logger.error(f"error registering tools")
         logger.exception("error trace:")
 
-    system = f"""
-    You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call.
-    Your goal is to answer questions about the user's GitHub repositories and account.
-    You have access to a number of tools provided by Github. Use any and all tools to help users.
-    Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points.
-    Don't overexplain what you are doing.
-    Just respond with short sentences when you are carrying out tool calls.
-    """
-
-    messages = [{"role": "system", "content": system}]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages, tools)
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
diff --git a/examples/foundational/39c-multiple-mcp.py b/examples/foundational/39c-multiple-mcp.py
index e4612efa4..4c7bc27d9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/39c-multiple-mcp.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/39c-multiple-mcp.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             ),
         )
 
-        system = f"""
+        system_prompt = f"""
         You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call.
         Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way.
         You have access to tools to search the Rijksmuseum collection and the user's GitHub repositories and account.
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         llm = AnthropicLLMService(
             api_key=os.getenv("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"),
             settings=AnthropicLLMSettings(
-                system_instruction=system,
+                system_instruction=system_prompt,
             ),
         )
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/40-aws-nova-sonic.py b/examples/foundational/40-aws-nova-sonic.py
index 0bb670d4b..327efaac5 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/40-aws-nova-sonic.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/40-aws-nova-sonic.py
@@ -146,15 +146,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     )
 
     # Set up context and context management.
-    context = LLMContext(
-        messages=[
-            {
-                "role": "user",
-                "content": "Tell me a fun fact!",
-            },
-        ],
-        tools=tools,
-    )
+    context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(context)
 
     # Build the pipeline
@@ -183,6 +175,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
         # HACK: if using the older Nova Sonic (pre-2) model, you need this special way of
         # triggering the first assistant response. Note that this trigger requires a special
diff --git a/examples/foundational/42-interruption-config.py b/examples/foundational/42-interruption-config.py
index 4c8e3ba23..a74b5cc7b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/42-interruption-config.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/42-interruption-config.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/43-heygen-transport.py b/examples/foundational/43-heygen-transport.py
index ad0e20764..23b87a5bb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/43-heygen-transport.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/43-heygen-transport.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def main():
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": "Start by saying 'Hello' and then a short greeting.",
                 }
             )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/43a-heygen-video-service.py b/examples/foundational/43a-heygen-video-service.py
index e4bd0e460..5edeb6bc3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/43a-heygen-video-service.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/43a-heygen-video-service.py
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": "Start by saying 'Hello' and then a short greeting.",
                 }
             )
diff --git a/examples/foundational/45-before-and-after-events.py b/examples/foundational/45-before-and-after-events.py
index c06837a4b..e0e5604c6 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/45-before-and-after-events.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/45-before-and-after-events.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         # Custom frames are pushed in order so they can be used for synchronization purposes.
         await task.queue_frames([CustomBeforeProcessFrame(), LLMRunFrame(), CustomAfterPushFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/47-sentry-metrics.py b/examples/foundational/47-sentry-metrics.py
index d024ed73a..a415fd975 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/47-sentry-metrics.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/47-sentry-metrics.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/48-service-switcher.py b/examples/foundational/48-service-switcher.py
index d0e3f09ec..970e14839 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/48-service-switcher.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/48-service-switcher.py
@@ -116,15 +116,15 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         services=[tts_cartesia, tts_deepgram], strategy_type=ServiceSwitcherStrategyManual
     )
 
-    system = "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way."
+    system_prompt = "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way."
 
     llm_openai = OpenAILLMService(
         api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"),
-        settings=OpenAILLMSettings(system_instruction=system),
+        settings=OpenAILLMSettings(system_instruction=system_prompt),
     )
     llm_google = GoogleLLMService(
         api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
-        settings=GoogleLLMSettings(system_instruction=system),
+        settings=GoogleLLMSettings(system_instruction=system_prompt),
     )
     llm_switcher = LLMSwitcher(
         llms=[llm_openai, llm_google], strategy_type=ServiceSwitcherStrategyManual
diff --git a/examples/foundational/54-context-summarization-openai.py b/examples/foundational/54-context-summarization-openai.py
index 897ed171f..9c3f75fa5 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/54-context-summarization-openai.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/54-context-summarization-openai.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info("Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/54a-context-summarization-google.py b/examples/foundational/54a-context-summarization-google.py
index 8242ea879..b9ce3d7c7 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/54a-context-summarization-google.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/54a-context-summarization-google.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info("Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_disconnected")
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-flux-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-flux-stt.py
index cd55f3e37..72d9b5638 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-flux-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-flux-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-stt.py
index af080e9db..21604829f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-stt.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         # NOTE: after this change, the bot will only respond if you speak Spanish
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-stt.py
index 0519799f0..c7442549c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55a-update-settings-deepgram-stt.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         # NOTE: after this change, the bot will only respond if you speak Spanish
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55b-update-settings-azure-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55b-update-settings-azure-stt.py
index c10f79de4..f93f907e7 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55b-update-settings-azure-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55b-update-settings-azure-stt.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55c-update-settings-google-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55c-update-settings-google-stt.py
index 9c67a8039..e2b844c2e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55c-update-settings-google-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55c-update-settings-google-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55d-update-settings-assemblyai-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55d-update-settings-assemblyai-stt.py
index 1b8ca5eda..2a49da3e2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55d-update-settings-assemblyai-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55d-update-settings-assemblyai-stt.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         logger.info(
             "Phase 1: No keyterms boosting - try saying 'Xiomara', 'Saoirse', or 'Krzystof'"
         )
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(15)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55e-update-settings-gladia-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55e-update-settings-gladia-stt.py
index 24e0dfa6f..885c78030 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55e-update-settings-gladia-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55e-update-settings-gladia-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55f-update-settings-elevenlabs-realtime-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55f-update-settings-elevenlabs-realtime-stt.py
index b1f35de13..6598240cb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55f-update-settings-elevenlabs-realtime-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55f-update-settings-elevenlabs-realtime-stt.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55g-update-settings-elevenlabs-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55g-update-settings-elevenlabs-stt.py
index 9896a1652..50a160b2b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55g-update-settings-elevenlabs-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55g-update-settings-elevenlabs-stt.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55h-update-settings-speechmatics-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55h-update-settings-speechmatics-stt.py
index 01f653c7e..89b15c94c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55h-update-settings-speechmatics-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55h-update-settings-speechmatics-stt.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55i-update-settings-whisper-api-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55i-update-settings-whisper-api-stt.py
index d2c81b0bc..72674d7dd 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55i-update-settings-whisper-api-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55i-update-settings-whisper-api-stt.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55j-update-settings-sarvam-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55j-update-settings-sarvam-stt.py
index 982b22b57..b882c8a2b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55j-update-settings-sarvam-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55j-update-settings-sarvam-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55k-update-settings-soniox-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55k-update-settings-soniox-stt.py
index 5fdf0fd82..bf395aefc 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55k-update-settings-soniox-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55k-update-settings-soniox-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55l-update-settings-aws-transcribe-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55l-update-settings-aws-transcribe-stt.py
index 07a923616..9c37da430 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55l-update-settings-aws-transcribe-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55l-update-settings-aws-transcribe-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55m-update-settings-cartesia-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55m-update-settings-cartesia-stt.py
index e8fc79e94..97d18f6fe 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55m-update-settings-cartesia-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55m-update-settings-cartesia-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-http-tts.py
index 9cd935692..7ec4155da 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-http-tts.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-tts.py
index 37ec2e903..3ecf6ba5a 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55n-update-settings-cartesia-tts.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
         # Kick off the conversation.
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-http-tts.py
index c8c2af4ab..58ef44010 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-http-tts.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-tts.py
index 71ff8c0af..dcab84af4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55o-update-settings-elevenlabs-tts.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55p-update-settings-openai-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55p-update-settings-openai-tts.py
index 9a1402a1c..0a8c35cc2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55p-update-settings-openai-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55p-update-settings-openai-tts.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-http-tts.py
index dd5220c3f..bed83dfc3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-http-tts.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-tts.py
index b913375bb..73a4ae365 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-sagemaker-tts.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-tts.py
index 7164c7b58..f151f3d3f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55q-update-settings-deepgram-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-http-tts.py
index 148e97f1a..56d144718 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-http-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-tts.py
index d23d41a89..de234fec9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55r-update-settings-azure-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-http-tts.py
index c573bee6f..79d3a3d42 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-http-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-stream-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-stream-tts.py
index b13cbd063..ca7e696af 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-stream-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55s-update-settings-google-stream-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-http-tts.py
index 0c00913e7..6ecf61fce 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-http-tts.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-tts.py
index cb8e09876..e8652d311 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55u-update-settings-rime-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55v-update-settings-lmnt-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55v-update-settings-lmnt-tts.py
index 48b0f8d43..55ab18a16 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55v-update-settings-lmnt-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55v-update-settings-lmnt-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55w-update-settings-fish-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55w-update-settings-fish-tts.py
index 8243f82f2..306f3e34d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55w-update-settings-fish-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55w-update-settings-fish-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55x-update-settings-minimax-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55x-update-settings-minimax-tts.py
index fc74bca4c..44ae6339d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55x-update-settings-minimax-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55x-update-settings-minimax-tts.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55y-update-settings-groq-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55y-update-settings-groq-tts.py
index 632907eaf..161c73ef0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55y-update-settings-groq-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55y-update-settings-groq-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55z-update-settings-hume-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55z-update-settings-hume-tts.py
index 855610b6b..ea8f3b316 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55z-update-settings-hume-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55z-update-settings-hume-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-http-tts.py
index 7435b135d..29de5281e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-http-tts.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-tts.py
index c0566e86b..58532eba0 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55za-update-settings-neuphonic-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-http-tts.py
index 4a2e2a2bc..dc11afac5 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-http-tts.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-tts.py
index 7fcaf67bd..a1fb3a9f4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zb-update-settings-inworld-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zc-update-settings-gemini-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zc-update-settings-gemini-tts.py
index 2d2f15cda..41c7dfd8b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zc-update-settings-gemini-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zc-update-settings-gemini-tts.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zd-update-settings-aws-polly-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zd-update-settings-aws-polly-tts.py
index 1f6ce56b2..b1c632958 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zd-update-settings-aws-polly-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zd-update-settings-aws-polly-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-http-tts.py
index 811ffceb8..1bbd0886e 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-http-tts.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-tts.py
index b36e6f81f..52876c595 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55ze-update-settings-sarvam-tts.py
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zf-update-settings-camb-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zf-update-settings-camb-tts.py
index 493ad0917..5c9987dc9 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zf-update-settings-camb-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zf-update-settings-camb-tts.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zh-update-settings-resembleai-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zh-update-settings-resembleai-tts.py
index 2c5ef3b25..192e5d868 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zh-update-settings-resembleai-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zh-update-settings-resembleai-tts.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-azure-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-azure-llm.py
index 5093ba560..21f65eabb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-azure-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-azure-llm.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-openai-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-openai-llm.py
index 6af897217..1eddc6bb4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-openai-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zi-update-settings-openai-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zj-update-settings-anthropic-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zj-update-settings-anthropic-llm.py
index 8417d0dcd..c36ee758d 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zj-update-settings-anthropic-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zj-update-settings-anthropic-llm.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-llm.py
index 94b15c886..0eaa89d10 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-llm.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-vertex-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-vertex-llm.py
index 1158c4635..95e84fec5 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-vertex-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zk-update-settings-google-vertex-llm.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live-vertex.py b/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live-vertex.py
index 96bd7a1c6..7e01fdf52 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live-vertex.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live-vertex.py
@@ -53,16 +53,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         credentials=os.getenv("GOOGLE_VERTEX_TEST_CREDENTIALS"),
         project_id=os.getenv("GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID"),
         location=os.getenv("GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION"),
+        system_instruction="You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
     )
 
-    messages = [
-        {
-            "role": "system",
-            "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
-        },
-    ]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages)
+    context = LLMContext()
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(context)
 
     pipeline = Pipeline(
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live.py b/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live.py
index a00343ac3..5d8f4e845 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zm-update-settings-gemini-live.py
@@ -51,16 +51,12 @@ transport_params = {
 async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     logger.info(f"Starting bot")
 
-    llm = GeminiLiveLLMService(api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"))
+    llm = GeminiLiveLLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("GOOGLE_API_KEY"),
+        system_instruction="You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
+    )
 
-    messages = [
-        {
-            "role": "system",
-            "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
-        },
-    ]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages)
+    context = LLMContext()
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(context)
 
     pipeline = Pipeline(
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zp-update-settings-aws-bedrock-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zp-update-settings-aws-bedrock-llm.py
index f4f8f8815..0ae2e0c57 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zp-update-settings-aws-bedrock-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zp-update-settings-aws-bedrock-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zq-update-settings-fal-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zq-update-settings-fal-stt.py
index 0811523f0..910b4d348 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zq-update-settings-fal-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zq-update-settings-fal-stt.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zr-update-settings-gradium-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zr-update-settings-gradium-stt.py
index 952f2bb26..7b40638a5 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zr-update-settings-gradium-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zr-update-settings-gradium-stt.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-segmented-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-segmented-stt.py
index b46096e0b..abec5cb7a 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-segmented-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-segmented-stt.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-stt.py
index 2efa824c3..116035aa2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zt-update-settings-nvidia-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zu-update-settings-openai-realtime-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zu-update-settings-openai-realtime-stt.py
index 9f0e1dc89..846775cd4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zu-update-settings-openai-realtime-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zu-update-settings-openai-realtime-stt.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-http-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-http-tts.py
index 29a774fae..cea5ab72f 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-http-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-http-tts.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-tts.py
index b9c35ebbd..947b5c852 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zv-update-settings-asyncai-tts.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zw-update-settings-gradium-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zw-update-settings-gradium-tts.py
index 52f7c73c5..f81267d1c 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zw-update-settings-gradium-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zw-update-settings-gradium-tts.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zx-update-settings-cerebras-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zx-update-settings-cerebras-llm.py
index c6d27d8e5..3a9bf5510 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zx-update-settings-cerebras-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zx-update-settings-cerebras-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zy-update-settings-deepseek-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zy-update-settings-deepseek-llm.py
index 23e314f8b..3a2dd38a8 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zy-update-settings-deepseek-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zy-update-settings-deepseek-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zz-update-settings-fireworks-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zz-update-settings-fireworks-llm.py
index 9ea0c9343..fceaadbc2 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zz-update-settings-fireworks-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zz-update-settings-fireworks-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zza-update-settings-grok-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zza-update-settings-grok-llm.py
index ca537a705..6ea0cd3c3 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zza-update-settings-grok-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zza-update-settings-grok-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzb-update-settings-groq-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzb-update-settings-groq-llm.py
index 3f2ffdb79..9f655f7fc 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzb-update-settings-groq-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzb-update-settings-groq-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzc-update-settings-mistral-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzc-update-settings-mistral-llm.py
index b9d591146..a7cb56446 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzc-update-settings-mistral-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzc-update-settings-mistral-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzd-update-settings-nvidia-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzd-update-settings-nvidia-llm.py
index 389b51f06..13593b57b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzd-update-settings-nvidia-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzd-update-settings-nvidia-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zze-update-settings-ollama-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zze-update-settings-ollama-llm.py
index d413267a3..a6904895b 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zze-update-settings-ollama-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zze-update-settings-ollama-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzf-update-settings-openrouter-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzf-update-settings-openrouter-llm.py
index c34d885f1..124e5f04a 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzf-update-settings-openrouter-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzf-update-settings-openrouter-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzh-update-settings-qwen-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzh-update-settings-qwen-llm.py
index 584cb23ea..7a35fd124 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzh-update-settings-qwen-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzh-update-settings-qwen-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzi-update-settings-sambanova-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzi-update-settings-sambanova-llm.py
index dc246f2cd..73f3316db 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzi-update-settings-sambanova-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzi-update-settings-sambanova-llm.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzj-update-settings-together-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzj-update-settings-together-llm.py
index bd855bcff..314b81223 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzj-update-settings-together-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzj-update-settings-together-llm.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzk-update-settings-aws-nova-sonic-llm.py b/examples/foundational/55zzk-update-settings-aws-nova-sonic-llm.py
index 301270797..c6789a521 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzk-update-settings-aws-nova-sonic-llm.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzk-update-settings-aws-nova-sonic-llm.py
@@ -52,20 +52,10 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         secret_access_key=os.getenv("AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY"),
         access_key_id=os.getenv("AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID"),
         region=os.getenv("AWS_REGION"),
+        system_instruction="You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
     )
 
-    messages = [
-        {
-            "role": "system",
-            "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be spoken aloud, so avoid special characters that can't easily be spoken, such as emojis or bullet points. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
-        },
-        {
-            "role": "user",
-            "content": "Tell me a fun fact!",
-        },
-    ]
-
-    context = LLMContext(messages)
+    context = LLMContext()
     user_aggregator, assistant_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,
         user_params=LLMUserAggregatorParams(vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer()),
@@ -93,7 +83,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        messages.append({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Tell me a fun fact."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzl-update-settings-nvidia-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zzl-update-settings-nvidia-tts.py
index e667a9ca3..a6d26542a 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzl-update-settings-nvidia-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzl-update-settings-nvidia-tts.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzm-update-settings-speechmatics-tts.py b/examples/foundational/55zzm-update-settings-speechmatics-tts.py
index 2e8bb46a6..2cce46ebb 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzm-update-settings-speechmatics-tts.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzm-update-settings-speechmatics-tts.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
         async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
             logger.info(f"Client connected")
             context.add_message(
-                {"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
+                {"role": "user", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."}
             )
             await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/55zzn-update-settings-groq-stt.py b/examples/foundational/55zzn-update-settings-groq-stt.py
index d6dac9e1f..f3f3ffa01 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/55zzn-update-settings-groq-stt.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/55zzn-update-settings-groq-stt.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ async def run_bot(transport: BaseTransport, runner_args: RunnerArguments):
     @transport.event_handler("on_client_connected")
     async def on_client_connected(transport, client):
         logger.info(f"Client connected")
-        context.add_message({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+        context.add_message({"user": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
         await task.queue_frames([LLMRunFrame()])
 
         await asyncio.sleep(10)
diff --git a/examples/foundational/56-lemonslice-transport.py b/examples/foundational/56-lemonslice-transport.py
index 8dc400841..aefa533e4 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/56-lemonslice-transport.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/56-lemonslice-transport.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ async def main():
             # Kick off the conversation.
             context.add_message(
                 {
-                    "role": "system",
+                    "role": "user",
                     "content": "Start by greeting the user and ask how you can help.",
                 }
             )
diff --git a/scripts/evals/eval.py b/scripts/evals/eval.py
index c2316e123..992eb43c7 100644
--- a/scripts/evals/eval.py
+++ b/scripts/evals/eval.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ from pipecat.runner.types import RunnerArguments
 from pipecat.services.cartesia.tts import CartesiaTTSService, CartesiaTTSSettings
 from pipecat.services.deepgram.stt import DeepgramSTTService, DeepgramSTTSettings
 from pipecat.services.llm_service import FunctionCallParams
+from pipecat.services.openai.base_llm import OpenAILLMSettings
 from pipecat.services.openai.llm import OpenAILLMService
 from pipecat.transports.daily.transport import DailyParams, DailyTransport
 
@@ -256,30 +257,6 @@ async def run_eval_pipeline(
         ),
     )
 
-    # Load example prompt depending on image.
-    example_prompt = ""
-    example_image: Optional[ImageFile] = None
-    if isinstance(eval_config.prompt, str):
-        example_prompt = eval_config.prompt
-    elif isinstance(eval_config.prompt, tuple):
-        example_prompt, example_image = eval_config.prompt
-
-    common_system_prompt = (
-        "You should only call the eval function if:\n"
-        "- The user explicitly attempts to answer the question, AND\n"
-        f"- Their answer can be cleanly evaluated using: {eval_config.eval}\n"
-        "Ignore greetings, comments, non-answers, or requests for clarification.\n"
-        "Numerical word answers are allowed (e.g., 'five' is the same as '5').\n"
-    )
-    if eval_config.eval_speaks_first:
-        system_prompt = f"You are an evaluation agent, be extremly brief. You will start the conversation by saying: '{example_prompt}'. {common_system_prompt}"
-    else:
-        system_prompt = f"You are an evaluation agent, be extremly brief. First, ask one question: {example_prompt}. {common_system_prompt}"
-
-    llm = OpenAILLMService(api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"), system_instruction=system_prompt)
-
-    llm.register_function("eval_function", eval_runner.function_assert_eval)
-
     eval_function = FunctionSchema(
         name="eval_function",
         description=(
@@ -303,6 +280,33 @@ async def run_eval_pipeline(
     )
     tools = ToolsSchema(standard_tools=[eval_function])
 
+    # Load example prompt depending on image.
+    example_prompt = ""
+    example_image: Optional[ImageFile] = None
+    if isinstance(eval_config.prompt, str):
+        example_prompt = eval_config.prompt
+    elif isinstance(eval_config.prompt, tuple):
+        example_prompt, example_image = eval_config.prompt
+
+    common_system_prompt = (
+        "You should only call the eval function if:\n"
+        "- The user explicitly attempts to answer the question, AND\n"
+        f"- Their answer can be cleanly evaluated using: {eval_config.eval}\n"
+        "Ignore greetings, comments, non-answers, or requests for clarification.\n"
+        "Numerical word answers are allowed (e.g., 'five' is the same as '5').\n"
+    )
+    if eval_config.eval_speaks_first:
+        system_prompt = f"You are an evaluation agent, be extremly brief. You will start the conversation by saying: '{example_prompt}'. {common_system_prompt}"
+    else:
+        system_prompt = f"You are an evaluation agent, be extremly brief. First, ask one question: {example_prompt}. {common_system_prompt}"
+
+    llm = OpenAILLMService(
+        api_key=os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY"),
+        settings=OpenAILLMSettings(system_instruction=system_prompt),
+    )
+
+    llm.register_function("eval_function", eval_runner.function_assert_eval)
+
     context = LLMContext(tools=tools)
     context_aggregator = LLMContextAggregatorPair(
         context,